The following development and design guidelines are established to ensure that all proposed development in a C-I District complies with the purpose and objectives of this chapter. The City Planning and Zoning Commission shall review plans for a proposed development, giving particular consideration to the following:
(a) Principles for Reviewing Conditional Uses. Large-scale institutional uses can be located in close proximity to adjacent land uses in a manner that integrates them with nonresidential uses and protects low density residential uses. Given these goals, the Planning and Zoning Commission shall consider the following principles when reviewing applications for conditional use permits.
(1) Standards when adjacent to Residential Districts. When reviewing a conditional use of this nature, the Planning and Zoning Commission shall attempt to ensure that residential properties are not negatively impacted by intrusions from the institutional uses. Therefore, the following standards shall be considered:
A. Adequate screening, buffering, and landscaping shall be provided to limit the view of the proposed use, reduce the noise between incompatible land uses, and ease the transition from one zoning district to another.
B. Natural features, especially mature trees, shall be preserved and supplemented with landscaping to buffer and screen adjacent residential districts. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall consider the setbacks, building mass and type of use when determining the extent of landscaping required.
C. The minimum setback area for buildings and parking areas set forth in Schedule 1364.05 shall be considered a buffer and landscaping area and shall contain no structures, with the exception of decorative fencing.
D. Pedestrian connections from the campus-institution development shall be designed to minimize impacts on adjacent residential neighborhoods.
E. The layout of parking areas, service area, entrances, exits, signs, lighting, noise sources or other potentially adverse influences shall be designed and located to protect the character of residential areas adjacent to the development.
(2) Standards when adjacent to nonresidential districts. When reviewing a conditional use of this nature, the Planning and Zoning Commission shall ensure that institutional uses are integrated into the fabric of the surrounding development; thereby becoming a part of the neighborhood in which they reside. Therefore, the following standards shall be considered:
A. Development proposals by institutional uses shall respect the existing built environment or the framework being created in an area through zoning and other applicable regulations.
B. The building placement, scale, and massing as well as the location of off-street parking facilities shall reflect and reinforce the surrounding development. If the adjacent areas are vacant, the building placement, scale, and massing as well as the location of off-street parking facilities shall reflect the development standards in the abutting zoning district.
(b) General Criteria.
(1) Buildings, structures and landscaping should be designed and located on the site and be of a scale and massing to:
(2) Enhance and protect the character of the surrounding area, especially adjoining residential areas;
(3) Minimize any adverse influences.
(c) Design of Parking Areas.
(1) The layout of parking areas, service areas, entrances, exits, signs, lighting, noise sources or other potentially adverse influences shall be designed and located to protect the character of residential areas adjacent to the development.
(2) Access from public streets to parking areas, service areas, and pedestrian walkways within the development shall be designed to minimize traffic hazards or congestion;
(3) Pedestrian connections from the campus institution development to adjacent parcels should minimize adverse intrusions into residential neighborhoods.
(Ord. 174-2008. Passed 9-2-08.)